rotation

rotation — 名詞

1. the action of turning around a central point, like a wheel spinning on its axle

1.名詞B1
釋義

旋轉

物體繞固定點圓周運動

the action of turning around a central point, like a wheel spinning on its axle or the Earth turning on its axis

例句

The steady rotation of the Earth causes day and night to follow each other.

地球穩定地旋轉，造成白天與黑夜交替出現。

collocation: rotation of the Earth

Heloísa centred the clay while watching the wheel's rotation on the potter's bench.

Heloísa 一邊拉坏，一邊看著陶輪上輪子的旋轉。

wheel's rotation

同義詞
  • spinning

    more informal; suggests rapid circular motion on the spot

  • revolving

    suggests movement in a circular path around an external point, like a planet around the sun

  • turning

    more general; can describe any change of direction, not necessarily circular

文法句型

rotation + of + noun

用法筆記

In this sense, rotation is typically uncountable and describes the ongoing motion itself, not a single completed turn.

常見錯誤

❌The rotation of the wheel happen very fast.
✅The rotation of the wheels happens very fast.
💡'rotation' is uncountable here and takes a singular verb.

2. a single full turn in which something goes all the way around the point at its c

2.名詞B1
釋義

轉一圈

繞中心點完整轉動一圈

a single full turn in which something goes all the way around the point at its centre, ending up back where it started

例句

Faisal tightened the bolt with three full rotations of the wrench.

Faisal 用扳手轉了三整圈，才把螺栓鎖緊。

number + rotation(s): three full rotations

The Earth makes one complete rotation on its axis every twenty-four hours.

地球每二十四小時就會繞自己的軸心完整轉一圈。

collocation: make + [number] + rotation(s)

同義詞
  • revolution

    more formal; commonly used for machinery and planets

  • turn

    simpler, less technical; suitable for everyday use

  • spin

    emphasises speed; often used for toys or sports

文法句型

number + rotation(s)

rotation + of + number + degrees

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense is countable: you can say 'five rotations' or 'each rotation'. Use it when referring to individual turns rather than the general process of turning.

3. the practice of planting different types of crops in a field in a planned order

3.名詞B2
釋義

輪作

農田輪流種植不同作物

the practice of planting different types of crops in a field in a planned order over several seasons so that the soil stays healthy and pests do not build up

例句

Farmers in this region use crop rotation to keep the soil rich in nutrients.

這個地區的農民採用輪作方式，以保持土壤養分充足。

collocation: use + crop rotation

The Tariro family follows a four-year rotation of corn, beans, wheat, and clover.

Tariro 一家在自家農地上實施四年輪作：玉米、豆類、小麥，然後是苜蓿。

pattern: rotation of [crop A], [crop B], [crop C]

同義詞
  • crop cycling

    less common synonym, used in some farming manuals

文法句型

crop rotation

rotation + of + crops

用法筆記

In agriculture, rotation almost always appears in the compound 'crop rotation'. Avoid using 'rotation' alone to mean this — the full phrase is standard.

常見錯誤

❌The rotation helps the soil.
✅Crop rotation helps the soil.
💡In agriculture, use the full phrase 'crop rotation' rather than 'rotation' alone.

4. a system in which workers take turns doing different tasks or working in differe

4.名詞B2
釋義

輪調

不同人員輪流擔任同一職務

a system in which workers take turns doing different tasks or working in different places, so that everyone shares both the interesting and the boring duties

例句

The hospital uses a rotation system so that no single nurse works every night shift.

這家醫院採用輪調制度，讓每位護理師不必每週都值夜班。

collocation: rotation system

Nadia completed a six-month rotation in the marketing department before moving to sales.

Nadia 在行銷部門完成了六個月的輪調，之後才轉到業務部。

pattern: complete + [time period] + rotation + in/at + [department]

同義詞
  • roster

    refers to the list or schedule of who works when, not the system itself

  • turn-taking

    more informal; used for simple alternating duties rather than structured programmes

  • shift work

    focuses on working outside standard hours, not the rotation among roles

文法句型

rotation + through/across/between + noun

on rotation

用法筆記

Common in professional contexts like medicine (medical rotation), retail (shift rotation), and corporate training (job rotation). When referring to a specific assignment period, it is countable: 'I did a rotation in pediatrics.'

5. the main pitchers who form a baseball team's regular schedule for starting games

5.名詞C1
釋義

輪值

棒球隊中輪流先發的投手群

the main pitchers who form a baseball team's regular schedule for starting games, with a different pitcher taking each game in turn

例句

The team's starting rotation includes three pitchers with strong fastballs and good control.

球隊的先發輪值包括三位球速快且控球佳的投手。

collocation: starting rotation

The ace pitcher's shoulder injury forced a reshuffle of the entire starting rotation for two months.

王牌投手的肩膀受傷，迫使整個先發輪值在兩個月內重新洗牌。

starting rotation

同義詞

文法句型

the rotation

starting rotation

in the rotation

用法筆記

This sense is specific to American baseball culture. Outside the United States, speakers may not recognise it. The full term is 'starting rotation' or 'pitching rotation'; using 'rotation' alone assumes the listener knows the context.

常見錯誤

❌The rotation is very tired after nine innings.
✅The starting rotation is very tired after nine innings.
💡Use 'starting rotation' or 'pitching rotation' for clarity, especially with non-expert readers.